Heriot’s and Melrose will both give run outs to a number of summer signings in this evening’s BT Charity Shield at Goldenacre (6.45pm).
The home side won the BT Premiership, BT Cup and this event last year, but since then have lost the likes of Jack Turley and Jason Hill down south and Graham Wilson and Iain Wilson to long-term injury.
They give first starts to Callum Marshall (ex-Selkirk), Alex Hagart (ex-Aberdeen Grammar), Donald Crawford (ex-Melrose) and Exeter University graduate Gavin Parker.
Michael Liness leads the side from hooker and ahead of the season curtain raiser Heriot’s head coach Phil Smith said: “The boys who have trained well this summer are rewarded with the opportunity to pick up the first silverware of the season.
“The boys are aware they are defending the first of the three trophies we were proud to win last season. Melrose will bring a freshness to them simply because the players will no doubt be out to impress their new coaching team.”
All four of Melrose’s high-profile arrivals start with Russell Anderson (ex-Jersey) at hooker, former Boroughmuir man Iain Moody at No.8, Craig Jackson (ex-London Scottish) in the centre and Ross McCann (ex-Stewart’s Melville) on the wing.
Melrose also have Austin Lockington returning on the wing after a year out through injury.
Their new head coach Rob Chrystie, who yesterday named Stuart Johnson as his forwards coach, said: Heriot’s were the best side in Scotland last season and I am sure Phil [Smith] will want to continue their success.
“We have a fresh squad and a new coaching team. We are all excited to have the first full outing in order that we can measure the hard work that’s been done over the last few weeks.”
Heriot’s: Gavin Parker; John Rae, Josh Laird, Donald Crawford, Charlie Simpson; Alex Hagart, Tom Wilson; Martin Bouab, Michael Liness, Struan Cessford, Russell Nimmo, Clark Smith, Alex Henderson, Callum Marshall, Jack McClean. Subs: Dylan Mason, Ruaridh Mitchell, Thomas Lapeyre, Logan Sinclair, Andrew Simmers, Rory Carmichael, Andrew McLean.
Melrose: Fraser Thomson; Austin Lockington, George Taylor, Craig Jackson, Ross McCann; Jason Baggott, Murdo McAndrew; Jamie Bhatti, Russell Anderson, Ruairi McLeod, James Head, Ally Grieve, Neil Irvine-Hess, Iain Moody, Grant Runciman. Subs: Cammy McKay, Dan Elkington, Harry Borthwick, Ruaridh Knott, Bruce Colvine, Gavin Wood, Richard Taylor.
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